Sarpanch murder: Justice impossible till Munde remains minister, says Activist

Activist Anjali Damania on Monday said justice would not be possible in sarpanch Santosh Deshmukhs murder case as long as Nationalist Congress Party NCP leader Dhananjay Munde remains a minister in the Maharashtra cabinet reported news agency PTIDamania claimed that she has gathered crucial evidence and will make information regarding Munde public at a press conference on TuesdayThe activist accused the state government of failing to act against the NCP Minister whose close aide Walmik Karad has been arrested in an extortion case related to the Beed Sarpanch murder probe and alleged that the ministers political influence has protected himMassajog Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was kidnapped tortured and murdered on December 9 for attempting to stop an extortion bid on an energy firm operating a windmill project in the regionSeven persons have been arrested in the Beed Sarpanch murder case while one person is absconding Three persons including Karad have been held in the extortion case linked to the sarpanchrsquos murder Karad has also been booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act MCOCAThe activist said ldquoThere can be no justice in the Deshmukh murder case as long as Munde continues to be in the state cabinet I had given the government a fourday ultimatum to remove him from the cabinet but it has not taken any action against him I have gathered crucial evidence during this period and will make significant information regarding Munde public at a press conference on TuesdayrdquoDamania said she met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar a few days ago and claimed since Munde is close to them no action was being taken against him stated PTIShe also questioned Mundersquos role in governance saying he was unfit to be a ministerldquoI do not accept Munde as a minister If people who promote terror commit atrocities and provide special treatment to people like Walmik Karad we cannot accept that she declaredDamania further claimed that she had previously presented evidence of corruption against key leadersI have already exposed the coal scam black money transactions and how government companies were exploited for the benefit of a minister I have shown their land holdings financial dealings and close connections with Walmik Karad I will present substantial evidence of corruption tomorrow involving the misuse of government machinery by a minister she claimed without revealing the ministers nameDamania said she plans to take the evidence she has gathered to Bhagwangad and demand the religious leadership of the Vanjari community to withdraw their support for Munde reported PTII will present this evidence at Bhagwangad and if they find it credible they should demand his resignation If this happens Maharashtra will salute Bhagwangadrdquo she saidApart from Munde Karad and the other accused in the Beed Sarpanch murder case belong to the Vanjari communityI urge Namdev Shastri Maharaj spiritual leader of the community to intervene on behalf of the Deshmukh family If Namdev Shastri Maharaj truly supports the Deshmukh family he should remove the obstacles preventing justice The biggest obstacle is Munde Bhagwangad must now ensure his resignation Only then the Deshmukh family will get justicerdquo the activist saidWith inputs from PTI